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Abstract
Exploring the lead acid battery's journey from the mid 19th century to the present reveals a technology that could have revolutionized electric transportation and grid storage. Despite its pioneering roots and potential role as a clean energy vector, setbacks such as the dominance of the internal combustion engine and the shift to alternating current grids diverted its trajectory. The lead acid battery faced a delayed commercial breakthrough until Faure's pasted plate innovation some 40 years after Planté’s original battery design. While missing the opportunity to spearhead electric vehicle dominance and grid storage solutions, lead acid batteries persist in powering our modern world due to their technological maturity, cost-effectiveness, and recyclability.
